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agriculture

'Price squeeze': Iran war adds to Montana ag challenges with high fuel, fertilizer costs

Farmers and ranchers across the region, state and country are facing uncertainty as the war in Iran continues for a second month. With rising fuel and fertilizer prices and relatively low commodity prices, agriculturists across the region are feeling the pinch. Since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed by

'This year is worse': Why a Montana city is running out of water

'This year is worse': Why a Montana city is running out of water

FAIRFIELD — Chuck Dale, Fairfield’s water supervisor, wasn’t satisfied with the rain that blew across north-central Montana on Wednesday. It wasn’t nearly enough to refill the depleted wells in the 800-person town about 35 miles west of Great Falls. “Take a 30-foot cylinder, fill it

Wild Balkan berries keep gin taste steady as climate shifts

Wild Balkan berries keep gin taste steady as climate shifts

As he threaded his way through the scrub in Serbia's southern hills, Slobodan Velickovic stopped to inspect the small indigo berries that have made the Balkans a key part of the global gin industry. Although still months from the autumn harvest, the 34-year-old picker -- who has

Missoula residents raise questions about pesticides in public spaces

Missoula residents raise questions about pesticides in public spaces

Missoula, Mont. — Questions about pesticide use in public spaces were getting more attention in Missoula as people looked more closely at how shared areas were maintained and what products were being used. Rain could do more than soak into the ground. It could also move whatever was already on it,

‘Two fronts’: Higher costs for fertilizers and fuel from Iran war challenge farmers

Farmers are getting hit by higher costs for fertilizers and fuel due to the increase in prices stemming from the U.S./Israel war with Iran and closures of the Strait of Hormuz. Seventy percent of American farmers say they cannot afford all the fertilizers they need for their fields

Ewe go, girl! Sheep births ‘one-in-a-million’ quintuplet baby lambs

Ewe go, girl! Sheep births ‘one-in-a-million’ quintuplet baby lambs

By Ed Chatterton A ewe has defied odds of a million-to-one by giving birth to a set of five healthy lambs on a family farm. The quintuplets arrived at Croft Farm, in Uffington, Lincolnshire, England in the early hours last Thursday (April 9). Incredibly, the same happened at

MSU ag researchers share advice for fertilizer use as Iran conflict impacts prices

MSU ag researchers share advice for fertilizer use as Iran conflict impacts prices

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Rising fertilizer prices tied to conflict in the Strait of Hormuz are putting more pressure on Montana producers, and Montana State University researchers are saying soil testing and careful planning could help farmers manage costs. Clain Jones with the MSU Extension is studying fertilizer practices as prices have